Rescued Tort ID & Advice Please - Page 2

lisa · 02-05-2007, 06:42 PM

Hi Danny

It was about 3 months ago. How big will he get, I measured him over the top of his shell, is that right? if not how should I do it?

Thanks.

Lisa

**sarah** · 02-05-2007, 06:44 PM

Lisa have a look at this thread on how to measure tortoises http://forums.shelledwarriors.co.uk/...ight=measuring

lisa · 02-05-2007, 06:50 PM

Opps he's only 8 & 1/2 Inches, typical man thinking he's bigger

What weight should he be?

Thanks.

Lisa

**egyptiandan64** · 02-05-2007, 07:26 PM

Hi Lisa,
At 217mm he should weight 1,507g, so he is still underweight. He should get 30cm or so

He'll probably need some time to settle in before he starts eating.
How is he set-up?

Danny

lisa · 02-05-2007, 08:59 PM

He's outside during the day in a converted sand pit, much to my 2 year old's disgust, with wire mesh and covered top for shade, he spends most of his time in the shade does that sound right.

At night he's in an under bed box at the moment until I can get something else sorted, I have an old chest of draws that screaming at me to take apart and re-vamp. He comes in at about 6pm and I haven't been putting the light on do you think I should to encourage him to eat? It comes on automatically at 7am and he goes out at about 10am, the Garden is sunny from about 9am to at least 7pm so he should be getting enough UV if he comes out of the shade when I'm not there.

He used to be in a glass tank so I think it will take him a while to get used to his new environment.

Thanks for all your help.

Lisa

02-05-2007, 09:26 PM

if it was me, id take him to a vet, just to be sure them bites are ok, if its not entirely healed and treated it could lead to shell rot!!

lisa · 02-05-2007, 09:28 PM

All the holes have been filled, looks like his been to the dentist, could they still get infection in them?

Lisa

**egyptiandan64** · 02-05-2007, 10:37 PM

If it's only been 3 months and the holes are filled, then yes it's possible to get an infection in the holes up to a year after. Though if you smell each and every place and any of them smell rotten, then definately a trip to the vets is in order. When your trying to settle in a tortoise especially on that's had problems like this one. Try to stick with one place, usually inside, until he does settle in and starts to eat. Going in and out in a new place is confusing him and it will take longer for him to settle in.

Danny

lisa · 03-05-2007, 01:57 PM

Hi Danny thanks for the advice, how long should it be before he starts eating, I have been soaking him every other day to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated.

Will be keeping him in from now on, shame as it such lovely weather done here at the moment.

Thanks again

Lisa.

lisa · 04-05-2007, 02:32 PM

Dear all

We have success Thomas is finally eating

he could no longer resist the dandelion leaves and was tucking in nicely at lunchtime. I was a bit worried he hadn’t had anything but feel a lot better now.

What would you suggest to build his weight up, I know a couple of you said he was under weight?

Thanks for all your advice.

Lisa

02-05-2007, 06:44 PM	#12
sarah Administrator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Newcastle-Under-Lyme Posts: 11,914	Lisa have a look at this thread on how to measure tortoises http://forums.shelledwarriors.co.uk/...ight=measuring __________________ Click: www.shelledwarriorsshop.co.uk STRUGGLING TO FIND WEEDS? LOOK AT OUR DRIED WEEDS 'READY TO FEED' Home of 'Grow Your Own Food' Bearded Dragon, Tortoise, Rabbit, Hamster seed mixes from 89p FREE POST Livefood, Thermostats, Housing, Heating, Mercury Vapour bulbs, UVB etc etc CHEAP PRICES TORTOISES ARE MY PASSION

02-05-2007, 07:26 PM	#14
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	Hi Lisa, At 217mm he should weight 1,507g, so he is still underweight. He should get 30cm or so He'll probably need some time to settle in before he starts eating. How is he set-up? Danny __________________

02-05-2007, 10:37 PM	#18
egyptiandan64 Super Moderator Adult Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: USA Posts: 14,171	If it's only been 3 months and the holes are filled, then yes it's possible to get an infection in the holes up to a year after. Though if you smell each and every place and any of them smell rotten, then definately a trip to the vets is in order. When your trying to settle in a tortoise especially on that's had problems like this one. Try to stick with one place, usually inside, until he does settle in and starts to eat. Going in and out in a new place is confusing him and it will take longer for him to settle in. Danny __________________

02-05-2007, 06:42 PM	#11
lisa Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Devon Posts: 371	Hi Danny It was about 3 months ago. How big will he get, I measured him over the top of his shell, is that right? if not how should I do it? Thanks. Lisa

02-05-2007, 06:50 PM	#13
lisa Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Devon Posts: 371	Opps he's only 8 & 1/2 Inches, typical man thinking he's bigger What weight should he be? Thanks. Lisa

02-05-2007, 08:59 PM	#15
lisa Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Devon Posts: 371	He's outside during the day in a converted sand pit, much to my 2 year old's disgust, with wire mesh and covered top for shade, he spends most of his time in the shade does that sound right. At night he's in an under bed box at the moment until I can get something else sorted, I have an old chest of draws that screaming at me to take apart and re-vamp. He comes in at about 6pm and I haven't been putting the light on do you think I should to encourage him to eat? It comes on automatically at 7am and he goes out at about 10am, the Garden is sunny from about 9am to at least 7pm so he should be getting enough UV if he comes out of the shade when I'm not there. He used to be in a glass tank so I think it will take him a while to get used to his new environment. Thanks for all your help. Lisa

02-05-2007, 09:26 PM	#16
bruceleetortoise Guest Posts: n/a	if it was me, id take him to a vet, just to be sure them bites are ok, if its not entirely healed and treated it could lead to shell rot!!

02-05-2007, 09:28 PM	#17
lisa Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Devon Posts: 371	All the holes have been filled, looks like his been to the dentist, could they still get infection in them? Lisa

03-05-2007, 01:57 PM	#19
lisa Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Devon Posts: 371	Hi Danny thanks for the advice, how long should it be before he starts eating, I have been soaking him every other day to make sure he doesn't get dehydrated. Will be keeping him in from now on, shame as it such lovely weather done here at the moment. Thanks again Lisa.

04-05-2007, 02:32 PM	#20
lisa Member Hatched Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Devon Posts: 371	Dear all We have success Thomas is finally eating he could no longer resist the dandelion leaves and was tucking in nicely at lunchtime. I was a bit worried he hadn’t had anything but feel a lot better now. What would you suggest to build his weight up, I know a couple of you said he was under weight? Thanks for all your advice. Lisa

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